Part of the S&K Group · Land, planning and new homesEngland · Wales · Scotland · Northern Ireland0800 088 6248
Land to Homes emblem: two house roofs over green fieldsLANDTOHOMES
Funders and partners · Scotland

Build to Rent Partnerships in Dumfries & Galloway

How do build to rent partnerships work in Dumfries & Galloway?

Build to rent partnerships in Dumfries & Galloway are arrangements where homes are designed and built specifically for renting and owned long term by an institution or registered provider. Land to Homes brings land, planning and construction, and discusses forward funding, where the partner funds the build, or forward purchase, where the partner commits to buy the finished homes. This is not an offer to invest.

Landowner and site manager shaking hands at the entrance to a housing site under constructionDumfries & Galloway

Start a conversation

Tell us about your organisation or opportunity and we will call you back.

Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.

  • Private conversationsEvery arrangement documented
  • Land to homesLand, planning and construction
  • Housing partnersCouncils and housing associations
  • No public offerNothing here is an offer to invest
  • UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI

Partnerships around Dumfries & Galloway

Our Dumfries & Galloway coverage takes in 3 towns and cities, centred on Dumfries and including Stranraer and Annan. Next door, we also cover Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Scottish Borders.

Around Dumfries & Galloway, we can talk to partners about joint ventures with landowners, design and build for a registered provider and forward-funded build to rent. In Scotland, where Dumfries & Galloway sits, planning decisions are made by the council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area).

If you are considering a partnership around Dumfries & Galloway, we are happy to talk privately.

How we work in Dumfries & Galloway

Forward purchase

The partner commits to buy the completed homes, while construction is financed separately until the scheme reaches practical completion.

Management in mind

Bin stores, parking, cycle storage, parcel rooms and plant are designed for efficient day-to-day management and low maintenance.

Designed for renting

Layouts, storage, specifications and amenities are chosen for long-term letting and management, rather than adapted from homes designed for sale.

Nation-aware tenancies

Each nation has its own tenancy law, and schemes are planned with the rules that will apply to tenants and landlords in mind.

How the rules work in Dumfries & Galloway

Affordable homes in Dumfries & Galloway are mainly funded through the Scottish Government's Affordable Housing Supply Programme, with councils and registered social landlords building them. Councils set local investment priorities in their Strategic Housing Investment Plans. On private developments, Local Development Plans often require an affordable housing contribution, secured through a Section 75 agreement. Land to Homes can bring forward land and deliver homes for councils and housing associations.

In Scotland, build to rent homes are let on private residential tenancies, and landlords must register with the council. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 allows rent control areas, with exemptions for qualifying build to rent and mid-market rent properties. Land and Buildings Transaction Tax applies, and planning obligations are secured through Section 75 agreements.

Key rules in Dumfries & Galloway
National planning policyNational Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which forms part of the statutory development plan
Local planning documentLocal Development Plan (LDP)
Who decides applicationsThe council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area)
In-principle consentPlanning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions
Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer)Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT)
Land registrationRegisters of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland)
How a sale becomes bindingLand sales are concluded through missives, formal letters exchanged between solicitors that become a binding contract once concluded, followed by settlement on the date of entry and registration in the Land Register of Scotland.
Developer contributionsSection 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments

Your questions answered for Dumfries & Galloway

How do tenancy rules affect build to rent?

Build to rent homes are let under the private tenancy law of each nation. In England, most new private tenancies are assured periodic tenancies under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Wales uses occupation contracts, Scotland the private residential tenancy and Northern Ireland the Private Tenancies Order regime. Schemes are planned with these rules in mind.

What is the difference between forward funding and forward purchase?

With forward funding, the partner buys the site and pays for construction in stages as the scheme is built. With forward purchase, the partner agrees to buy the finished homes on completion, while the developer arranges construction finance in the meantime. The structures share risk differently, so each party takes its own legal and tax advice.

Is this an investment opportunity?

No. Nothing on this site is an offer or invitation to invest, and we do not take money from members of the public. Build to rent partnerships are agreed privately with institutions, registered providers and other professional parties, each relying on its own advisers and due diligence. We do not publish projected profits or performance figures.

What is build to rent?

Build to rent is housing designed and built specifically for renting, held in single ownership and professionally managed. It can take the form of apartment blocks or single-family houses. Homes are let directly by the owner or its operator rather than sold, and schemes often include on-site management and shared facilities for residents.

Do you work with partners on schemes in Dumfries & Galloway?

Yes. We discuss schemes across Dumfries & Galloway, including Dumfries, Stranraer and Annan privately with professional partners. Nothing on this website is an offer or invitation to invest.

Read more: Build to Rent Partnerships · Guide: Renting a new-build home: tenancy rules in England, Wales, Scotland and NI

Own land that could take new homes?

Start with a free, no-obligation site appraisal. On option and promotion agreements we fund the planning work and pay your reasonable legal fees.

CallEnquire